Ernst von Dohnányi ： Passacaglia in es-moll Op.6

Built around a recurring bass progression, this passacaglia unfolds through variation-like development and harmonies charged with tension. Within its weighty sonority, several voices intertwine, carrying the music forward as the outline of the theme continually changes. Highlights include the stability created by repetition, the changing density and character that emerge from it, and the contrasting episodes that appear as the music intensifies. In performance, it is important to maintain the movement of the bass while keeping the inner voices audible and giving each line a clear direction. A broad sense of structure, together with carefully paced dynamics and tension, brings out both the work’s architectural strength and its expressive richness.